gear giveaway

Amp Simulation

Now Shipping: NUX Amp Core Studio

Chinese company NUX, which has been on a roll with well-received amp simulation pedals for a few years now, unveiled at NAMM 2025 a new entry in that family, the NUX Amp Core Studio, scheduled for release later in 2025. Based on the popular (and larger) Amp Academy, the Amp…Click on the title for more

Now Shipping: NUX Amp Core Studio

IK Multimedia TONEX Amp Modeler + Multi-FX

Those who were mixing records in the late '90s and early '00s will remember the awe generated by the first amp modeling plugins, which allowed producers to record a clean guitar and apply a choice of amps (and later also effects and mic placements) at the mixing stage. Italian company…Click on the title for more

IK Multimedia TONEX Amp Modeler + Multi-FX

KMA Machines Endgame Amp and Cab Sim

The KMA Machines ENDGAME is an amp and cabinet simulator that offers a range of features, including a foot-switchable stereo effects loop, dual cabinet simulation, ambience control, and a foot-switchable true double-tracker with a width knob. The pedal also has switchable tube power amp simulation, flexible internal signal routing, and analog,…Click on the title for more

KMA Machines Endgame Amp and Cab Sim

Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles Rev F Double Rectifier

With the Knuckles '92, Universal Audio continues its series of stereo, amp-inspired stompboxes (part of the broader UAFX line) with what has now become a signature format blending a compact footprint with a noteworthy amount of tweakability. The guitar amp subject to pedal cloning (or sound snatching!) is the venerable…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles Rev F Double Rectifier

Walrus Audio ACS1 MkII Amp & Cab Simulator

Walrus Audio updated their Amp/Cab Simulator ACS-1 with a MkII, after the original version's 2.0 firmware introduced some new features. Firmware 2.0 Changes The firmware update, made public in August 2023, bring these improvements: Improved dynamic range on the gain knob on the existing amp simulators to allow for extra…Click on the title for more

Walrus Audio ACS1 MkII Amp & Cab Simulator

Line 6 POD Express Black

Although the original Line 6 POD Express was quite black, the new POD Express Black is even more black, because... it's a metal pedal! In it, you will find all the sonic goodness of the regular pod (7 amp models, 7 cab simulations, and 17 effects based on cutting-edge HX-derived technology, along…Click on the title for more

Line 6 POD Express Black

Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic 82 D-Style Pedal

Overdrive and amp fanatics are surely familiar with the unattainable Dumble amps (the Overdrive Special model, in particular), the most expensive guitar amplifiers on earth, hand-built and customized on order for stars of the caliber of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. There's a not-too-small niche of pedal builders dedicated…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic 82 D-Style Pedal

New Pedal: Poly Ample Amp/Cab Sim Pedal

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia (a big geographical disadvantage for any musical instrument manufacturer), Poly is one of the handful of brands currently driving innovation in the stompbox realm. The Ample is their (stereo) take on the amp/cab sim pedal. A knobless and toggle-less device, the Ample offers 56 modeled guitar…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Poly Ample Amp/Cab Sim Pedal

2024 UPDATE! Best Amp Modeling Pedals & Cab Simulators

This article is about pedals that simulate the tone of guitar amps and cabs but are not able to power a speaker cabinet. If you are looking for a pedal that can do that, see our article about the best power amp pedals. [lwptoc depth="4" hierarchical="0" numeration="decimal" title="TABLE OF CONTENTS…Click on the title for more

2024 UPDATE! Best Amp Modeling Pedals & Cab Simulators

Tsakalis Audioworks Mothership Preamp

The Tsakalis Mothership is a tube overdrive preamp pedal with two identical channels, each featuring a 4 band EQ and 3 gain modes (Low, Medium and High). What's new and interesting, though, is that each channel also allows for two separate Volume/Gain configurations, which can be switched via a dedicated…Click on the title for more

Tsakalis Audioworks Mothership Preamp

New Pedal: Sonicake Matribox II Pro

Considering what good of a deal its older (and smaller) non-pro version was, the Sonicake Matribox II Pro - which sells for just $299 - is nothing short of a remarkable device. The reviews on YouTube are more than positive, although many warn that the presets are not representative of how…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Sonicake Matribox II Pro

BOSS IR-2 Amp & Cab Simulator

Although the first plugin emulating a guitar amp dates back to 1998 (Line 6's Amp Farm, whose algorithms ended up in the Pod) amp and cab simulation is a category of effect pedals that has exploded in recent years, and Japanese giant BOSS hasn't exactly been on the forefront of…Click on the title for more

BOSS IR-2 Amp & Cab Simulator